The Finer Edge: Crocheted Trims, Motifs & Borders [Paperback]

Kristin Omdahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2013

An innovative collection of 40 stitch and 12 garment patterns from best-selling author Kristin Omdahl, The Finer Edge demonstrates various techniques, construction methods, and versatile applications for crochet edgings.

While crochet edgings are customarily used to trim or finish blankets and garments, designer Kristin Omdahl treats you to both traditional and novel new ways to expand your use of edgings. You will learn how edging patterns can be used to create entire fabrics, reformatted to make individual decorative motifs, reverse-engineered from existing fabrics, and even used to create three-dimensional designs. Focusing on construction techniques for edgings, The Finer Edge is divided into separate sections based on top-down, sideways, and bottom-up methods to help guide the reader.

Though there are 12 project patterns that highlight the edgings, you'll be inspired to creatively mix and match within each edging’s section. Also included in this gorgeous book are charts, illustrations, and photographs of crochet swatches and a pattern collection that includes multiple sizes, including plus sizes.

Discover innovation at its finest with The Finer Edge.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kristin Omdahl is the author of Crochet So Fine (Interweave, 2010), Wrapped in Crochet (Interweave, 2009), A Knitting Wrapsody (Interweave, 2011), and Seamless Crochet (Interweave, 2011). She designs knit and crochet garments and patterns under her label KRISTIN and distributes her own line of patterns and knits from her website, styledbykristin.com, and to yarn stores. She also designs for several knitting and crochet magazines as well as book publishers and teaches knit and crochet techniques for private lessons and workshops. Kristin creates designs for a variety of yarn companies, including Plymouth Yarn, Cherry Tree Hill, and Tilli Tomas and has published designs in Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Crochet Today, and Crochet! She lives in Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (January 8, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596685549
• ISBN-13: 978-1596685543
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Crocheting

More About the Author

Kristin Omdahl designs knit and crochet garments and patterns under her label KRISTIN, and is the author of "Crochet So Fine" (Interweave, July 2010) and "Wrapped In Crochet" (Interweave, 2008). She appears in every episode of Knitting Daily TV on public television as the show's "Crochet Corner" expert, and she conducts seminars around the country on crochet and in her new DVD workshop, "Innovative Crochet: Motifs" (Interweave, 2009). Kristin's work has appeared in Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Crochet Today, Crochet!, Cast On, and Knit N' Style, plus books including "Crochet Gifts" (Interweave, 2009) and "Crochet Me" (Interweave, 2007). She enjoys knitting and crocheting in her orchid garden in sunny, Southwest Florida. Check out what's new with Kristin at www.StyledbyKristin.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Focuses on Projects That Use Edgings Creatively December 27, 2012

By Lynne E. TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As you would expect from a well-known crochet designer like Kristen Omdahl and publisher Interweave Press, THE FINER EDGE: CROCHETED TRIMS, MOTIFS, AND BORDERS is a beautiful book. The full-color photos are gorgeous, and the crochet patterns have both written-out and charted instructions.

Nevertheless, I was a little disappointed, because I expected a collection of many patterns for crocheted edgings. (Can anyone ever have enough patterns for decorative crocheted edgings?) The book does indeed deliver a collection of interesting edging designs, but it is focused on "expanded use of edgings to create entire fabrics, make individual decorative motifs, and produce three-dimensional designs". Thus only about half the book is devoted to an Edgings Reference Library (20 top-down, 8 bottom-up, 14 side-to-side, 12 miscellaneous).

The rest of the book is devoted to Projects (10 in all). Some of the projects are quite innovative: (1) a cowl made of crocheted-together edging strips, (2) a car coat with a collar and edging of vertical stripes worked in horizontal rows, (3) a net top with applied spiraling flower edgings, and (4) a flower crocheted onto a bag made from simple square motifs.

Because of the limited number of actual edging designs, I rate THE FINER EDGE at 4 stars ("I like it" on the official Amazon scale). If you're looking for a collection of crocheted edgings, you might consider these excellent ones: The Complete Book of Crochet Border Designs: Hundreds of Classic & Original Patterns, Crocheting on the Edge: Ribs & Bobbles*Ruffles*Flora*Fringes*Points & Scallops, or Traditional Edgings to Crochet. There are also many other good collections available.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Omdahl produces another LOVELY book! January 5, 2013

By Suzanne R. Arnholt VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Every pattern says which way it is worked (side to side, top to bottom, bottom to top, or some other way), has a diagram (which makes understanding the overall structure much easier), and is worked in actual crochet big enough to see and in varied cool colors as well. The written out instructions are also clear. The projects in the back are not the reason to buy this book as they are not nearly as nice as the edgings presented in the beginning. Only the "Moebus" scarf/shawl even slightly appeals to me, but the edgings themselves are different enough from other books that I consider this an excellent purchase!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stitch combinations and excellent color photos make this book a winner December 25, 2012

By P. Lipp

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't get enough books with new and/or different stitch ideas. I was especially taken by the Pompeii Möbius. Presentation is everything and the beautifully illustrated offerings in this book make it a valued addition to my library.